Traffic Accident Reconstruction

Accident reconstruction is analyzed by engineers and traffic accident reconstructionists. We analyze collisions for speed, position of vehicles on the roadway and identifying the driver. We use the latest technology such as HVE simulation, animations and the Crash Data Retrieval system by Bosch.

The following 10 steps briefly summarize the procedure for investigating and reconstructing an automobile accident even though not all steps are performed in each accident case:

1. Gathering Information

Initially, a forensic engineer or accident reconstructionist will gather all of the facts together such as police reports, photographs of vehicles and the accident scene taken by third parties, witness statements, 911 recordings, autopsy reports and other pertinent information.

2. Scene Investigation

The scene of the accident is investigated in order to find evidence left at the roadway. Many times skid marks, yaw marks, fluid stains, vehicle debris, and gouge marks in pavement are left on the roadway and painted / flagged by police officers.

Measurements are taken at the scene so that an accident scene diagram can be prepared showing site specific conditions. This information is imperative in determining the point of impact and point of final rest of the vehicles, which can be used to draw conclusions on how the accident happened and calculate the speed of the vehicles.

Another significant part of the accident scene investigation is determining if the roadway contributed to the cause of the accident. The roadway is inspected for safety concerns such as a lack of traffic control devices and signage, lack of roadway maintenance, limited sight distance, lack of roadway maintenance, poor lighting, poor roadway design, poor stormwater drainage and other roadway defects.

3. Scene Mapping

The accident scene is measured / surveyed to provide a scaled drawing of the roadway evidence. This process is called scene mapping.

Skid marks, yaw marks, fluid stains, vehicle debris, and gouge marks in pavement are often left on the roadway as a result of the accident.

These pieces of information are put together and used in reconstructing the car accident. Other information such as signage, traffic signals, and traffic control devices can also be shown on the drawing.

4. Vehicle Inspection & Analysis

Vehicles are inspected and analyzed to determine how vehicles collided, determine vehicle speeds, and check for defects that might have contributed to the accident.

Crush damage and paint transfer can be used to determine how the vehicles came in contact with one another. Furthermore, crush damage can be used to determine the amount of force applied to the vehicle and determine a change in velocity (delta-V).

5. Vehicle Black Box Download Data

Most vehicles today have a black box (Event Data Recorder) which records information such as speed, throttle position, braking, seat belt usage prior to and during a crash event.

Whereas, commercial vehicles (i.e. tractor trailers) have an electronic control module (ECM) data which features much of the same data as a black box as well as diagnostic information for repairs and mechanical problems.

6. Review Witness Statements and Expert Testimony

Witness statements and expert testimony can be used to assist the re-constructionist in determining how or why the accident happened. These documents are reviewed and taken into account when forming conclusions. Accident reconstruction is looking at all the data available

7. Calculations

In the process of reconstructing the accident, many physic and mathematical calculations are performed so that the engineer's opinions are scientifically supported.

The most typical calculations we perform deal with calculating the speed of the vehicles.

8. 3-D Accident Simulations

3-D Accident Simulations are created using computer software programs that implement physics and mathematical calculations to simulate the car accident. A site specific roadway environment is used along with the correct make and model vehicles.

Preparing a simulation is an iterative process where multiple simulation trials are run in order to match the position of each vehicle with the corresponding evidence on the roadway such as the point of impact and point of rest.

The end result is a video that can show any angle of perspective such as from the driver's view point to an eye witness view point. Simulation videos have proven to be very useful in court because it provides an accurate account of how the accident happened to the judge and jury.

9. Traffic Accident Report

A written report of a accident reconstruction provides a detailed explanation of the incident, procedures used, data collection, analysis and conclusions. The focus of the reconstruction engineer is to determine "how an accident happened."

10. Expert Witness

We are professional engineers and accident reconstruction engineers, We provide expert witness services to attorneys to explain the technical issues for the benefit of the court. We are very familiar with affidavits, Rule 26, depositions, court testimony, and preparing exhibits for presentation in court.

Frequently asked Questions about Collisions

Our experts determine:

Vehicle speed,

Amount of force applied between vehicle,

If headlights, turn signals, tail lights or brake lights were incandescence at impact,

Angles of impact,

Determine if seat belts were in use at the time of the accident,

Determine if there is any mechanical failure such as: brake systems, tires/wheels, air bags, seat belts, and other safety equipment,

Accident scene mapping data,

How an accident happened using simulation and animation.

Roadway evidence begins to disappear soon after the accident making it critically important to gather information as soon as possible.